...And FISA Is Renewed, With All Its Problems Still Intact

from the no-surprise dept

After three key amendments that would have brought some oversight to the NSA's ongoing spying program were rejected last night, and the final such amendment was rejected this morning, there was little doubt that the Senate would move ahead with renewing FISA in its current and highly problematic form. Immediately following the rejection of the Wyden amendment, that's just what they did, voting 73-23 to extend FISA for another five years.

There was never really any chance of FISA not being renewed, but the proposed amendments would have added vital checks to the law, most of which seemed to be just common-sense—such as requiring a report to Congress on the program's privacy impact. With all these changes rejected, the renewal means another five-year virtual carte blanche for the NSA to collect data on US citizens under a secret interpretation of the law that the public is not allowed to see, without even providing an estimate on how many Americans have had their privacy violated.

as long as the 'spying' and 'invasion of privacy' doesn't apply to politicians, any such bill is perfectly fine. just wait to see the amount of crap that hits fan if any of those that voted this bull (back) in were ever in the position that they expect everyone else to be in without complaint and without any sort of recourse.

Molest the President, Then?

The Public Interest Declassification Board reauthorization is sitting on the President's desk awaiting his signature. You get to comment on it. Why not take the opportunity to tell him you want the work of the Public Interest Declassification Board in the years to come, to focus on declassification of what FISA unconstitutional surveillance has been doing to citizens of the United States? Apparently the efforts of Senators to get some kind of reporting on the warrantless activities failed during FISA reauthorization. So why not use the Public Interest Declassification Board? Here's the link to comment on it to the President (until he signs or vetoes it): http://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/comment-legislation?billname=S.%203564%20Public%20Interest%20Decla ssification%20Board%20Reauthorization%20Act%20of%202012

I've already chewed out my Senator for voting against the Amendments to FISA and pointed out that doing so turns his back on the pledge he took, goes against the 4th Amendment and betrays the American people.

Re: This is Bush's fault

No, it's the fault of Reagan and 30 years of reaganomics.

But let's think about why Bush is to blame and so many Pepe voted against hours policies in the 2006 elections.

First, you had the Republicans revving us full speed to fascism by taking is to war twice as well as his attempt to privatize Social Security. Finally, liberals could fight against neo-conservatism and get more representation. That's why they took over. But most were still pretty center-right in their thinking and it screwed them over in 2010.

My entire point though, is that the country is deeply left and both parties were battling to represent the rich. Democrats, however, softened the blow while keeping the same policies in place. In essence, it's a shell game of two parties fighting to represent the rich and leaving the nation to rot in that battle.

The saddest thing about it is that this battle happened when Rome fell as an empire. History just loves repeating itself...

How hard is it to set up a petition on the White House site? Maybe ask Obama why there was no debate despite the fact that the last extension was conditional on there being a debate before it was extended again.

It's not that they can't agree on anything to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff' (brilliant bit of marketing, that). Rather, the budget is an easy smokescreen (see also 'misdirection', 'feint') to avoid public discourse on NDAA, FISA, and other legislation that would undermine constitutional rights.

This a not conspiracy theory, this is politics in truest form. When many politicians come out the woodwork to make noise on the same bill, it's time to glance around for what they hope will remain unnoticed.

Larry and Curly never caught on to Moe's method (wave left hand until person is distracted by it, then smack person with right hand). Our failure as citizens to engage the political process, the stuff that happens after elections, will make stooges of us all.

Jaa Wir konnen!!

Adolf Hitler was a charismatic man who could touch an audience with his words and give inspiring speeches about the past, present and the future. The glowing utopian future of the supreme reich like none who had come before. Germany was special and their friendly people were deserving the best. He would make that happen. The people believed the words so rightious and powerfull spoken. A cry was heard in all of Germany " Jaa Wir konnen!!" "Jaa Wir konnen!!" and verbaly abusing the french "Wir hassen Deine Kung-Fu!!" Which translates "We're unimpressed with your Savate" Savate is a fighting technic only the French were able to master. Terrible humilation for the french there.
"Jaa Wir konnen!!" Everybody believed they indeed could and Hitler was chosen, after a few months parlement was outlawed and Hitler was the sole leader of the Germans. In 1938 he was even considered for the Nobel peace price. Seven years later the country was torn in two and there was but broken stones, deathcamps, gaschambers and ovens. The people sifting through the rubble evaluated their election of the fuhrer and remembered the fact that he gave amazing speeches. He enthralled the people with words. Typicly people would say "perhaps his talkgiving abilities were to thin a basis to elect him" "maybe we should have read his book"
Obama has won the Nobel peace price already I believe. His book is probaly a friendly book about things he has observed